The Flywheel

This Week's Program: November 20th,
2009

Sweeter dreams

Glenn Oclassen, CEO & President of Transcept Pharmaceuticals,
describes his company and the work they are doing in Richmond
to promote sound sleep.

Last MEETING: November 13th, 2009

Welcome, Invocation, Thought for the Day

President Glenn Daggs opened the meeting
and asked Jerry Feagley to lead the “Pledge
to the Flag.” Past President Herb Cole asked
the members for a moment of silence for peace and freedom in
the world. And, Henry Kelman,
in his thought for the day, reminisced about the inclusion
of women in Rotary—the controversy and apprehension that
preceded it and the positive benefits that resulted.

Visiting Rotarians

Visiting Rotarians included Past District Governor Jim Campbell
with wife Linda, Assistant District Governor Gary Boyles, El
Cerrito Rotary President Tracy Giles, and David Englehart from
the Orinda Rotary Club.

Rotarians with Guests

Henry Moe had as his guests Janet Wilkes
and John Castro, both members of the Salesian High School faculty.

Announcements

President-Elect Alan Baer encouraged sign-ups
for the Rotary holiday party at H’s Lordship’s
on December 19.

Club Treasurer David Brown thanked the
members who contributed $100 each to assist teachers with
out-of-pocket classroom expenses at Peres Elementary School.

April Jordan thanked those members who
signed up to read to students at Peres next Wednesday and
encouraged other members to participate.

Past President Mark Howe announced a sail
on his boat this coming Sunday for those who purchased the
privilege at last year’s auction.

Tracy Giles had an announcement about Foundation Day at
the Races at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, December 5.
A race will be named in honor of our Club if at least eleven
members sign up. The cost is $32 per person which includes
valet parking, Turf Club seating and a prime rib buffet.
The track will donate 10% of Rotary ticket sales to the Rotary
International Foundation.

Special Events

PDG Jim Campbell commended Past President Erle
Brown for his efforts as Club Foundation Chair
and presented a certificate to President Glenn recognizing
our clubs Foundation contributions to the tune of $222.18
per capita.

Club Secretary Jon Lawlis expressed thanks
to Jim and Linda Campbell for the past contribution of hand-made
bears to the Richmond Rotary Teen Moms program. He also called
everyone’s attention to a new selection of bears which
were displayed around the room.

Recognitions

Jim Beaver recognized Don Lau who celebrated a birthday while
in New York City attending a Building Blocks for Kids conference.
Don also mentioned that his father recently celebrated his
ninety-third birthday.

Happy and Sad Dollars

Sid Chauvin appeared to be happy that there are 41 days
until Christmas.

Jon Lawlis was happy about a “fabulous” night
at Past President Leslie Levy’s.

Josh Genser expressed happiness about
the state of college football in the Bay Area, which in turn
provoked responses from Erle Brown and Herb Cole.

Past President George Egan was grateful
for an impending or completed patent process.

Ted Abreu expressed pleasure at having
attended a District 5160 Interact conference the previous
Sunday at El Cerrito High School. 423 Interacters were present.

Norm’s Nonsense

A man and his ever-nagging wife were on vacation in Jerusalem,
when the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband, "You
can have her shipped home for $5,000 or you can bury her here
in the Holy Land for $150." The man thought about it
and told him he would just have her shipped home. The undertaker
asked, "Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your wife home
when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would
spend only $150?" The man replied, "Long ago a man
died here, was buried here, and three days later he rose from
the dead. I just can't take that chance."

Raffle Results

Sid Chauvin drew a white ball.

THE PROGRAM

The Shot Spotter

President Glen introduced the speaker for the day, Sergeant
David Harris of the Richmond Police Department, who spoke about
the Shot Spotter System now in place in parts of the city of
Richmond. With the aid of a slide-show presentation, he described
how this amazing technology works. Sensors distributed around
the area are calibrated to recognize and pin point, through
triangulation, the location of gun shots, enabling police dispatchers
to direct officers to the scene. The system is advertised to
have accuracy to about 25 meters, but in reality it is much
more precise. The benefits of this technology, which is wireless,
are numerous, including accelerated response to gun shots,
increased likelihood of apprehending perpetrators, and quicker
medical response for victims. Experience has shown that the
system has also contributed to increased cooperation from citizens
in providing descriptions and location of perpetrators. The
technology also provides data which can assist in the prosecution
of crimes. Sergeant Harris noted that there will be further
expansion of the system into other “high crime” areas,
but it is not intended for city-wide installation.